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For These Phantoms, Three Is Not a Crowd

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DPO presents Three Phantoms in Concert with tenor alumni of the leading Phantom of the Opera tours

If you have ever seen a live production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Phantom of the Opera, there is a better-than-even chance that you might have seen and heard at least one of the three Broadway stars who will share the stage of the Schuster Center on Friday, January 13 & Saturday, January 14 at 8pm with conductor Patrick Reynolds and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in Three Phantoms in Concert.

Why? Because all three have played either the Phantom or Raoul or both on Broadway or in touring productions. In fact, they each have either played the lead, or appeared, in Cyrano, the Musical; Fiddler on the Roof; Anything Goes; Les Misérables; The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber; Show Boat; Jesus Christ Superstar; Sweeney Todd; Pirates of Penzance; Jekyll & Hyde; Evita; Fiddler On The Roof; and The Secret Garden.

The best Broadway leading men – Ciarán Sheehan, Gary Mauer, and Craig Schulman – will perform (in solo, duo and trio combinations) the best of the Broadway tunes written for tenor from Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, The Phantom Of The Opera, Guys and Dolls, Company, Kiss Me Kate, Most Happy Fella, The Secret Garden, Nine, Damn Yankees, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sweeney Todd, and more.

Ciarán Sheehan has played the Phantom on Broadway and in Toronto for more than 1,000 performances. He has also appeared on Broadway in Les Miserables and as Raoul in Phantom for more than two years. Gary Mauer most recently starred in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, playing Raoul. Craig Schulman is the only actor in the United States to have portrayed the Phantom; Jean Valjean in Les Misérables; and the title roles in Jekyll & Hyde.

Craig and Gary have both played in Les Mis, and all three have played in Phantom. Since all three are tenors, it begs the question, do they ever switch roles/song assignments from one show to the next? If so, what are some of the reasons they might do so?

“I try to keep the program the same, and everyone sings a standardized track in the concert,” Craig Schulman states. “I need to maintain pacing of the program and make sure that we’re all singing the same number of songs. We each, however, tell a story about the show in which we got our “big break” in show business, and then sing a song from that show. So the program changes slightly,” from tenor to tenor.

The bulk of the shows all three tenors have appeared in involve romance (Sweeney Todd, Secret Garden, etc. excepted). The songs in those shows, however, don’t always involve romance or romantic topics. I asked Craig which type of songs he prefers and which particular titles (especially of those he’ll be doing with the DPO) he prefers singing?.

“Personally, I always look for the 11 o’clock number,” Craig remarks, “so I sing Bring Him Home from Les Mis, This Is The Moment from Jekyll & Hyde, and of course, Music Of The Night from Phantom (the big three). Sometimes I switch with Gary; he may sing This Is The Moment, and I’ll take The Impossible Dream just for giggles.”

All three keep a strenuous concert schedule. I asked Craig what he likes/dislikes about life on the concert road. “I like the fact that the trips are short,” Craig notes, “as opposed to being on an extended tour. I don’t like being away from my wife and kids for too long. Dislikes? FLYING. Used to love it, but it sure ain’t no fun no more. Also, among my colleagues, my career has become almost exclusively concert performances,” he points out. “I love the concert performing, but it’s rather a solitary pursuit, and I miss the community of performers that are involved in a show.”

Which goes to show that, at least for this Phantom, three is definitely not a crowd.

Dayton Philharmonic Presents Three Phantoms in Concert

January 13 & 14 – 8pm

Schuster Performing Arts Center

Click for Tickets

Dayton Remembered

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In our series of guest posts of Daytonian’s that have moved away, Jill Bishop shares her memories of Dayton.  A 1975 graduate from  Vandalia Butler High School, Jill got a Communications/English Lit degree from Wright State in 2001 and a Masters in Public Admin from UD in 2006. She worked for Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence as well as Dayton Public Radio/Classical 88.1 before moving to Arizona in 2010.

Even the spectacular butterscotch/fuchsia colored skies featured in the sunsets over the Tucson Mountains aren’t enough to make me forget my hometown of Dayton, Ohio. If I close my eyes and concentrate, I can still picture myself driving down Wayne Avenue, a major thoroughfare I traveled daily for years and years. It always felt like Wayne Ave was one of the main arteries that delivered me into the heartbeat of downtown Dayton where I worked and played for 35 years. I still vividly recall the major landmarks along the way….that awkward intersection at Wayne and Wilmington, Tanks, ‘scary’ Krogers, then on down to the lovely South Park and Oregon District neighborhoods where many of my friends have lived, or still do. Coco’s Bistro is another major anchor on that journey, and a place I spent many wonderful lunches and happy hours with friends.

Then there is The Oregon District…and Fifth Street. I could write an entire book about my adventures there over the years, but one place MUST be mentioned: The Oregon Express. Back in about 1990, a small group of passionate individuals (passionate about Friday happy hours) began what is still known as The Oregon Express Beer and Pizza Club. Countless happy hours were spent there, lifelong friendships forged, tons of free pizza consumed. We celebrated birthdays, held memorials, laughed, cried, and chewed on the major topics of the day along with their delicious free pizza.

I traded the aging, industrial Midwest grittiness and deciduous tree-lined streets for the desert, saguaros and adobe houses in October 2010 when I packed my cats into my Prius and left my lifelong home to settle into a new life in Tucson, Arizona. Dayton has a sweet, soulful, funky vibe of its own, including a rich history of innovation, invention, industry, aviation, and creativity. Think chili, burning leaves, aging railroad overpasses, Orville and Wilbur, Ohio Players. Now that I am away, I can more fully appreciate the nuances of Dayton. Joni had it right when she wrote “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone.” I now fondly think of Dayton as a green space filled with friendly, sincere, hard-working, creative people, much like I have found in Tucson. Green spaces are abundant thanks to MetroParks and water is abundant thanks to the major aquifer. There are the fun, must-attend classic annual events such as the Greek Festival, DAI’s Oktoberfest, Cityfolk Festival, the music festivals at Dave Hall Plaza, and many great events at Riverscape. I miss seeing the Dayton’s great Philharmonic Orchestra and Operas at the beautiful and acoustically perfect Schuster Center. I miss those wonderful Saturday mornings at 2nd Street Market wandering among the vendors, steaming coffee in hand, waving to folks I knew. I miss it all.

Then there are the sensory, memory experiences such as Canal Street Tavern on a bitterly cold winter night crowded into its cozy space listening to an amazing musical performance, waiting in line at Flying Pizza downtown, soaking in some steamy jazz at Gilly’s, earnestly pursuing through CD’s at Gem City Records (now Omega Records), helping my friends with shows on WYSO-FM with pledge drives, and working with the great staff at Classical 88.1 FM in the Metropolitan Arts Center where I could walk around and dial up a creative, energetic conversation with someone from another arts organization. I spent countless hours walking the beautiful gardens at Wegerzyn, riding the bike paths all around Dayton, and enjoying hikes in Yellow Springs.

While I am happily settled into my new home in Tucson, I miss many people, places, and things about Dayton. I miss the fall color, the music scene, downtown, and coffee shops, family and friends. I sometimes even miss the humidity. Dayton is “the funk capital” and I miss that soulful, Five Oaks feeling. Sometimes I even miss those blustery, overcast days where you just want to curl up and read a good book. But really, it’s the people I miss the most – because it’s the people who really make up a community. I miss seeing friends and acquaintances everywhere I go. I miss people around me who know my story. However, I have embarked on a new chapter and am writing a new story…..but Dayton and the people who live there will always be my heart home and I will look forward to visiting when I can. And… who knows, perhaps someday my Dayton roots will tug hard enough to pull me back.

Read the first entry in this series from Audrey Buckman

Christmas Gifts for Readers

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Certain toy shelves are empty and the mall parking lots are packed. But bookstore shelves are jammed with easy-to-wrap packages in any price range. Here is a short list of books for your Nice list:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Visually dazzling, this debut novel caused significant pre-print buzz. Garnering a six figure deal, awards, movie deal and high acclaim, it was called the next Harry Potter. It does create an alternate world, full of magical sideshows, tricks and language, following a wizard’s duel between Cecelia and Marco. Their budding love story is set against short vignettes describing the circus, which is only open at night.

This imaginative book is available on audio CD, read by the incomparable Jim Dale (of Harry Potter audio fame.) The visual effects are enhanced by Dale’s amazing voice work.

11/22/63 by Stephen King

What is JFK hadn’t been assassinated? King tackles this question with an ominous, hefty book titled 11/22/63. A local diner holds a portal to the past and the chance to right wrongs. King’s newest book is getting rave reviews, even though it tops 800+ pages. Ideal for anyone who lived in the time of Camelot, it will still enthrall younger readers.

Let the Great World Spin: A Novel by Colum McCann

Before the Twin Towers fell in 2001, they held the tightrope walker’s cord in 1974. But McCann finds the bulk of his story in the tightrope-walking public far down below. A mother-daughter prostitute team, a failing Irish monk, a mismatched group of grieving mothers, a pompous judge and a disillusioned artist are just part of the colorful cast. Their stories intertwine, overlap and clash, creating even more suspense than the man 110 floors above the New York streets.

For anyone who loves New York City, anyone who remembers the 70s and anyone who remembers the Twin Towers as more than a tragedy, this masterful novel is a wonderful choice.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It’s likely that most teens have already visited the 12th District in the Hunger Games series. But this series isn’t just for teens. Brutal, engaging and a statement on our reality-show obsessive ways, this trilogy will be devoured in a weekend. Pick up this three book series for any avid reader, young or old, so they can absorb the page-turners before the first movie releases in March of 2012.

Nook eReader

Every other page of the Black Friday flyers featured affordable eReaders, particularly the Kindle. There are pros and cons to any eReader choice but if you are purchasing one now, please consider the Nook over Amazon’s Kindle.

The Nook is preferable in my opinion because it allows you to read books purchased anywhere, while the Kindle reads only Amazon distributed books. Amazon, convenient as it can be, tends to have bad business manners and practices.

Gift cards for ebooks is another idea, if you know they have an eReader or will be getting one for Christmas.

What books do you recommend as gift-giving options?

Telling American Stories in Pictures…with Music

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DPO presents Musical Gallery, honoring the life’s work of iconic American painter/illustrator Norman Rockwell

“I love to tell stories in pictures. The story is the first thing and the last thing.”

With those words Norman Rockwell summed up his modus operandi for a lifetime of artistic achievement. For forty-plus years, his illustrations of the covers of The Saturday Evening Post magazine became an integral part of American popular culture. The Willie Gillis and Four Freedoms series, Rosie the Riveter, and my personal favorite, Saying Grace, captured the essence of the beauty, joy, seriousness, and camaraderie of everyday American life.

Picture this: a small-town café peopled by working-class people. Two big, burly, cigarette-smoking truck drivers share a table with a small, red-headed boy and an older woman (ostensibly his grandmother). One trucker reads a menu; the other holds a cup of coffee and stares inquisitively at the woman and boy, both of whom have their heads bowed, their eyes closed, and their hands folded in prayer and saying grace.

That juxtaposition of characters, that slice-of-life realism was how Norman Rockwell told pictures in stories.

Organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell (At the Dayton Art Institute November 12, 2011 – February 5, 2012) is an exhibition spanning 56 years of his work (1914 – 1970) that traces his artistic contributions and the impact of his images on American popular culture.

Concurrently, on Fri­day, Ja­nu­ary 6 and Saturday, January 7, at 8 pm in the Schuster Center, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will present Musical Gallery, a concert program that features a Debussy prelude, the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by American pianist William Wolfram, and Rockwell Reflections, a study in Americana  by national and international award-winning composer Stella Sung.

For Rockwell Reflections, Stella Sung chose five seminal paintings by Norman Rockwell to use as points of departure for her compositions. Like Rockwell’s paintings, these compositions have a strong narrative quality. During the performance of Rockwell Reflections, the DPO will project imagery of these five of Rockwell’s most famous paintings on a screen above the DPO in the Mead Theater:

"Artist Facing Blank Canvas"

Artist Facing Blank Canvas, 1938

This painting is an unusual self-portrait. Rockwell does not show us his likeness; instead, the artist lets us look over his shoulder at a dilemma that ruled his working life. With clarity and wit he communicates his exasperation through such telling details as the head scratch, the splayed shirt collar, the upside-down horseshoe, and the rejected sketches piled on the floor.

The Stay at Homes, 1927

In this charming scene a boy and his grandfather seem to be lost in a reverie as they gaze out at a schooner leaving the harbor for open water. For the child such journeys are yet to come; for the grandfather the journeys are memories to be savored. Rockwell elaborates his theme with a swirl of gulls above the two figures. Birds in flight are an age-old metaphor for flights of imagination and spirit.

"Checkers"

Checkers, 1928

Rockwell’s painting illustrates a key moment in a short story about a circus clown named Pokey Joe. Pokey Joe has been suffering from self-doubt about his ability to perform. His friends and fellow performers organize a little deception to cheer him up, letting him win an important game of checkers. The painting captures Pokey Joe’s delight in his moment of triumph. Also apparent is Rockwell’s delight in painting the brilliantly colored circus setting.

In this musical composition, the DPO playing in the background represents the circus, while the individual players of the strings represent the five figures in the foreground of the painting. The concertmaster is the checkers player on the left and the principal cellist is the clown on the right. The dog that is quite content to continue sleeping is played by the viola that never changes pitch!

"Murder in Mississippi"

Murder in Mississippi, 1965

In the 1960s Rockwell began to do assignments for Look Magazine, which addressed important current events. The most dramatic painting of this period was Murder in Mississippi. Rockwell was horrified by the murder of three young, dedicated civil rights workers near Philadelphia, Mississippi in 1964.  Klansmen stopped the three men at night on a deserted road, took them to a remote location, and shot them. Rockwell’s painting of their last moments is not a documentary. Instead, the artist created his work in the style of a formal heroic composition. It honors the courage and sacrifice of these three young men.

The Peace Corp, JFK’s Bold Legacy, 1966

Rockwell was deeply affected by the turmoil of the 1960s, the racial conflicts, assassinations, Vietnam War, and nuclear threat. Rockwell, though, always found a reason for optimism in young people. The Peace Corp represents this optimism in a group of profile portraits of young men and women looking up and outward toward a bright vision beyond the confines of the picture. The profile portrait composition is a reprise of his famous 1942 painting Freedom of Worship. Here, though, the faith that Rockwell celebrates is the spirit of the next generation to make the world a better place.

Exasperation. Reverie. Delight. Courage. Optimism. Those are the emotions, sentiments, and character traits that Norman Rockwell set down on canvas for us all to look at and see reflections of ourselves as people.

And as Americans.

Dayton Philharmonic Presents “Musical Gallery”

Ja­nu­ary 6 and January 7 at 8 pm

Schuster Performing Arts Center

Click for Tickets

Comfort Food on Wheels!

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Who says gourmet restaurants have to stay stuck in one place? Fressa, the newest traveling food-truck to hit the streets of Dayton, pleasantly proves that home-cooked entrees, fresh sides and tantalizing desserts needn’t be located in a sit-down restaurant in order to be delicious. “Fressa” by definition means, “to chow down” or “stuff oneself”, which, the owners Matt and Lisa Halpin encourage lunch-breakers to partake in during every Fressa-filled meal.

I spoke with Matt Halpin about his intriguing “comfort-food” truck and he explained,  “Comfort food means a lot of different things to different people… It’s about what you had growing up and what reminds you of that. We want people to experience new things and see that comfort food can mean more than what they think it does.”

But… comfort food, on wheels? Matt and Lisa explained that having a restaurant-truck instead of a stagnant, unmoving restaurant allows Fressa to “take that great tasting, gourmet food to the streets.” The mobility of Fressa also allows the restaurant to offer lunchtime deliveries to businesses, catering to all kinds of events and easier accessibility to more locations around Dayton. Matt elaborated, “There is a lot of potential for Dayton to be a real foodie town and since Dayton is looking to attract more people and businesses downtown, trends like food trucks are a great thing.”

Let’s talk about the food: Fressa stands out from the likes of greasy lunch-break options, instead housing a menu bursting with local ingredients, seasonal offerings and of course, hot-from-the-kitchen comfort food. The menu spotlights on the kind of food that reminds you of home, warms the soul, and just flat-out makes you feel happy. Matt explained, “The idea of modern, gourmet comfort food lets us have a lot of freedom when it comes to what we serve. But no matter what, it has to make people feel good.”

Where can you find the bright orange Fressa truck? Matt says, “We are at the Sugarcreek Farmer’s Market and we also do lunches for local businesses. Facebook and Twitter let our followers know that we’re there.” Fressa wants to be able to gain more parking locations to spread the Fressa-love throughout the city, but because the city of Dayton is still working out regulations for food trucks and parking rules, they’ve had a few set-backs. Hopefully by May, Fressa will be perfectly parked at the Courthouse Square for lunchtime.

Matt said, “At this point we are trying to be the best food truck that we can be. It’s hard to picture Fressa being a sit down restaurant but I will admit I would like to have a brick and mortar restaurant of my own some day… Who knows, we could always have both.”

Well, what should you order? Comfort food of course! Matt and Lisa recommend the Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese and Chocolate-Covered Homemade Potato Chips, topped off with a Pumpkin Crème Brule for dessert.

So keep an eye out for this bright orange restaurant-on-wheels, Fressa has pulled into Dayton!

Lash Envy Part 2

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Lash dip? Lash extensions? What are all these crazy new lash products and why do you need them? I used to think people who did these kinds of things were crazy. I couldn’t imagine adding one more beauty procedure to my monthly budget. Then a close friend got extensions and they looked AMAZING! I was still on the fence about whether I could spend the money on something so frivolous but I least knew they looked great.

It was on a rainy lonely Thursday that I was reading my new Allure and found an article about this new product called “Crybaby” it was supposed to darken your lashes as well as make them fuller and longer. Sounded good to me and the price was right at 45.00 which didn’t seem to bad for something that would last 4 to 6 weeks. I found a salon in Cincinnati that offered the service and I made an appt. I was so excited to try this out all in the name of beauty research. When I went in the lady gave me the lecture on how to take care of them and whether I was a good candidate for them. Once I signed the paperwork she began applying the product. It felt like she was applying mascara then she would turn on a little fan and cure the lashes. The total time was around 45 minutes.  The result the lashes were noticeably darker and longer but looked more like doll lashes than real lashes.  It looked to me like someone had applied several coats of bad mascara on me. The lashes appeared clumpy, felt hard and were stiff to the touch. Not to be mistaken with “Lash dip” the “Crybaby” was a big no for me.

Here is what the website promotes:

Tints fade. Extensions fall out. Strip Lashes aren’t moisture-proof. And they’re often expensive and laborious to apply. If your salon or spa could offer a durable, longer-lasting, more affordable service to your clients, why wouldn’t you?

Cry Baby Semi-Permanent Mascara is a procedure that curls and coats lashes with our proprietary lash coating. This coating adds volume, length, curl and color to lashes, is 100% waterproof/ smear-proof and lasts two weeks, often longer. It’s ideal for active lifestyles as well as special events like weddings and vacations. Better still, it’s professionally applied by your technicians and can be offered at a fraction of the cost of extensions.

So now I had these creepy spider lashes and had no idea what to do. You cant remove it yourself so I had to make the decision…..I was going to get extensions. I had received an invite to the opening of a new lash spa in Springboro and decided to call them to discuss what had happened. To my amazement they were able to get me in that day and said they could remove my bad lash product. I was so excited I was going to bite bullet and get fabulous lashes! When I arrived the lady who would be working on my lashes took one look at my “Crybaby” mistake and said I wasn’t being silly they were bad. Not only were they bad to look at it had been applied wrong! So far this entire experience wasn’t making me feel good about lash products. Once my “Crybaby” was removed she started on my extensions. For those of you who are not familiar with extensions they are synthetic lashes applied to your individual lashes with medical grade glue. You can imagine how tedious it is for the technician. The lashes stay on 2 to 3 weeks and fall out with your normally lash shedding. My first set took around 2 hours to apply and the result…….FABULOUS!! I love love love them!! They look natural are easy to care for and on most days I don’t have to wear mascara at all. I go in for fills about every 2 weeks and I can honestly say that I am a customer for life.  The initial set will put you back about 200.00 and the fills run about 45.00 every two weeks.  For me it is totally worth it and I would rather have lashes than a mani/pedi any day.  When you look in the mirror you feel completely different and personally I feel like I can get away with a lot less makeup. They don’t feel itchy or like you are wearing anything on your eyes. However, if you are the type of person that picks at your lashes, is an extreme sweater, or cries often this may not be for you. All of the mentioned habits will make your lashes come out sooner. Also you will have to avoid all oil based makeup removers. If you can afford to do this for yourself it is worth every penny. There are several salons in the area offering the service but my personal recommendation is Enhance Spa and Lash Studio located in Springboro. They offer Xtreme Eyelash extensions as well as “Lash Dip” and revitalash products.

 

Here is what the Xtreme Lash site promotes:

 

Xtreme Eyelashes are made from synthetic strands which are applied on to a person’s natural lashes. The process is a meticulous one as it involves the attachment of the lashes one by one. An eyelash extension procedure can be as long as two hours, and this depends on the number of lashes to be applied and the expertise of the stylist.

Eyelash extensions by Xtreme Lashes are only done by accredited and certified hairstylists who have gone through the company’s hands-on lash extension training. All sales of the product are available from accredited health and beauty professionals, so you can only get the extensions from legitimate individuals who have been trained to do the procedure. Eyelash stylists are trained to design and style your lashes to meet your desire and needs.

Since the eyelash extensions are attached onto natural lashes, they also fall out when the natural hair does, which is typically after sixty days. There are refills that can be used every two to three weeks, which work to replenish the lashes that have fallen on a daily basis. Procedures should be done every two to three months to maintain the thickness and length of the lashes.

 

So you aren’t ready to commit to the lash extensions but you still want to try out something to glam up your lashes. There is still one more option, “Lash Dip” Unlike “Crybaby” this is not the clumpy sticky procedure that I described above. Although I have not personally had this procedure done I have seen it on several clients and it looks flawless. Lashes are full, dark, and above all glam! Once again I highly recommend Angie at the Enhance Spa and Lash Studio in Springboro to perform this service.

Here is what the website promises:

LashDip is an innovative cosmetic application that is poised to revolutionize the mascara industry. Imagine the freedom! “Dipping” your lashes just once allows you to wake up to and maintain gorgeous lashes for up to six weeks! No hassling with mascara. No makeup remover. No mess. No more raccoon eyes! Just gorgeous, beautifully sculpted, semi-permanent painted lashes when you wake up in the morning, through your exercise routine, and when you go to bed at night.

Low maintenance, high style – the modern woman’s answer to mascara.

Lush, full, dark, long lashes are the hottest trend on the beauty scene.LashDip is ideal for any woman who wears mascara but is tired of the high maintenance of daily application. Many of our clients are busy moms, executives who travel frequently, flight attendants, and athletes, all of whom have one thing in common – they want to look and feel their best 24/7.

Just dip and go.

Most women struggle daily with one or more mascara-related issues: smearing, running, clumping, flaking, application difficulty, sensitivity, not to mention the inconvenient time factor involved in daily application and re-application.Any woman who wants to feel confident, carefree and effortlessly beautiful around the clock is a candidate for LashDip.

It’s More than Mascara.

LashDip is more than your typical eyelash color formula – it goes beyond even the most perfect application of mascara to provide color and enhancement you don’t have to fight with.Mascara is a temporary application. Lash extensions are an appliance. LashDip is the future of lash enhancement.

So now now you have the good the bad and the wonderful of lash products. Depending on the type of person you are will depend on which product may work best for you. If you have any questions about any of the above treatments Angie at the Lash studio will be more than happy to provide you with more information about what will be best for you. Happy Holidays!!

 

What I Miss About Dayton

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As part of an ongoing series, DMM is reaching out to some of our friends who’ve moved away from Dayton and asked them to reflect on the things that they miss about our community.

First up is entrepreneur Audrey Buckman, who was truly a pioneer in Dayton retail.  She originally had a small store in the Oregon District, then took a bold leap and moved GO HOME!  to the corner space in the Cannery three years before the building was transformed into trendy loft apartments.  Eventually opening a second store in Centerville, then movied to  it’s final location  at the Village at Dayton Mall, which  closed this fall when Audrey moved when her husband was offered a job in North Carolina. Below please enjoy Audrey’s list of what she misses.

 

“As I prepared to move away from Dayton after living there for 21 years, I posted one thing per day on my Facebook page that I would miss about Dayton for the final 10 days. Here is my list, in no particular order.”

1. Marions Piazza – A true Dayton classic.

2. Kettering Recreation Center – An absolutely amazing facility. If you have not been recently, it is a must see. The classes, facilities, equipment and staff are top notch.

3. Tank’s Bar – Another Dayton classic that attracts a really diverse crowd. Spent time there watching the OJ Simpson white Bronco chase, had beers from around the world, popped in after the Art Ball for cheese fries with a group all decked out in gowns & tuxedos – and nobody even took a 2nd look.

4. 2nd Street Public Market – Always a good mood booster with friendly faces.

5. Hills & Dales MetroPark – Another amazing facility. Loved walking my dogs through the park. Actually, the entire 5 River MetroParks system is fabulous.

6. City of Dayton 4th of July Fireworks – Was always fortunate enough to watch from The Firefly building rooftop….the best view around!

7. Dorothy Lane Markets‘ umbrella brigade in the Kettering Holiday at Home parade. So much fun!

8. Virtually no traffic and ease of getting around.

9. The creative energy from so many diverse individuals and groups that really care about the Dayton area and making a difference in many ways.

10. Friends, family and familiar faces………so many good people and so many good times!  Dayton is an easy place to find your niche and develop great relationships.

Meet Jean Howat Berry – Building Culture Through Community at Cityfolk

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Pandora, one of artists in residence during the 2011 Culture Builds Community program, works with students (Photo by Rodney Veal)

Jean Howat Berry is the new education and outreach manager at Cityfolk.

Cityfolk is the Dayton-based “only full-time, professional presenter of traditional and ethnic performing arts” in Ohio, according to the Cityfolk website.

Berry’s main responsibility is overseeing the Culture Builds Community program, which is in its sixth year.

“The main thrust of the job is this huge project that happens in the spring,” said Berry.

The CBC project, which culminates in April, focuses on engaging participating elementary students in research and practice of specific cultural activities. The project incorporates local ethnic centers and national and local artists of music and dance.

This year’s Culture Builds Community project is called Sole Rhythms and five neighborhood schools are participating. The schools are Ruskin, Edison, Cleveland, Kiser and Fairview elementary schools.

Each school has its own team that focuses on an assigned specific cultural tradition.

Berry said this year’s theme is percussion music and dance. The traditions of focus include Turkish dance, Mexican folk dance, traditional American spirituals and the roots of jazz, the African American fraternity step dance tradition and old time clogging of Appalachia mixed with Irish step dance.

“The whole idea, and what City Folk strives to do with this, is build community,” she said. “There’s so many different facets to Dayton, because we are so immigrant friendly and because we have tremendous gifted artists that work here, we’re able to pull all those folks together to build a team that can go out and connect with those many communities. Because we’re all really one big community.”

Within the context of the schools, CBC helps kids learn new skills, new information about culture and practice physical activity, since this year’s project is a danced based program.

“Kids have the opportunity to use all facets of themselves within the project,” Berry said.

She said from the kids perspective, the project is completely voluntary. CBC provides a few teasers informing the students about their school’s cultural focus. They will then take 15 students 5th through 8th grade and another 10 participants at 16 and older.

Big Mijo teaches students the basics of krump dancing during the 2011 Culture Builds Community program (Photo by Rodney Veal)

According to Berry, last year’s project only encompassed three schools and took ten students from each. So this year’s project is taking on two-to-three times as many participants.

She wants participants to be educated in their specific cultures, but more so she wants them to learn the importance of commitment.

“We want it to be at will, we want a particular age group, but we mostly want commitment, and that’s something this project really seeks to develop in the young people,” Berry said.

Berry said her previous job working at East End Community Services, which sponsors Ruskin Elementary afterschool programming, prepared her well for her new position. Her theatre background will also be helpful in her new role. She said she’s played the role of the artist educating kids in the classroom, just as the artists she’s assigning to the five groups will do.

Berry said CBC has a fairly broad funding base for this project that includes Sinclair Community College, Dayton Power and Light, Target and Arts Midwest.

“It’s a really exciting program,” Berry said. “I just think that it has the capacity by what it’s goals are to continue to grow and to be a real force for bringing folks together in Dayton and that’s what we really want to reach out and do.”

For more information visit Culture Builds Community online at http://www.cityfolk.org/cbc.htm.

Dayton Ballet presents The Nutcracker

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Kettering Health Network and Vectren present Dayton Ballet’s 18th annual holiday production, The Nutcracker, December 9-11 and 16-18, 2011. Dayton Ballet has sculpted this classic winter gem to sparkle with Dayton shine, replacing traditional characters with historical Dayton figures, including Virginia Weiffenbach Kettering and Dayton Ballet founders, Josephine and Hermene Schwarz. Dayton Ballet’s professional and pre-professional companies will appear in nine magical performances over two weekends at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.ticketcenterstage.com or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630.

Over 100 children from the Dayton Ballet School and 13 other area dance schools will take the stage in the Miami Valley’s only professional production of The Nutcracker, showcasing the critically acclaimed and nationally recognized Dayton Ballet Company, plus the Dayton Ballet II Senior and Junior Companies and students from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Ohio University dance departments.

Performances of Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker will play Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 11 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m.

Celebrity Mother Ginger’s!

Mother Ginger is one of the most colorful and spirited characters in Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker. This year, several local celebrities have volunteered to appear on stage as Mother Ginger.  

  • Ryan Phillips , On-Air Personality and Promotions Director, from 94.5 Lite FM appears Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 PM.
  • Kim Faris, On Air Personality at 94.5 Lite FM, is a frequentMotherGinger guest, appearing for the fourth year in a row on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2:30 PM.
  • Neal Gittleman, Music Director for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will make his debut appearance on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 PM.
  • Rachel Murray, news anchor from WHIO AM/FM and weekend announcer, a.k.a.RoxyReynolds, from K99 will debut on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 1:00 PM.
  • Dave Alexander from the Mix FM 107.7 morning show makes his second appearance on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Mike Hartsock, from WHIO TV, News Center 7 Sports, will once again appear on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to see Daytoncelebrities as Mother Ginger in Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

Have Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy!

Enjoy an English Tea inspired luncheon at the SchusterCenteron Saturday, Dec. 10 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Your ticket for the Sugar Plum Tea will include: desserts from the “Land of Sweets,” Sugar Plum Fairy crafts, listening to The Nutcracker story read by a special guest, pictures with a ballet dancer in costume and the opportunity to participate in a silent auction. You can purchase tickets to the Sugar Plum Tea from Ticket Center Stage. Discounted tickets to The Nutcracker may be purchased in conjunction with tickets to the Tea.

Enter The Nutcracker Coloring Contest!

Enter to win four tickets to Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker, four tickets to Behind the Magic Backstage Tour and autographed keepsakes from the Sugar Plum Fairy. In order to win, children must send Dayton Ballet their coloring page, which can be downloaded at the Dayton Ballet website.  Children may also send original artwork inspired by The Nutcracker. Only one entry per child will be considered; children must be between the ages of four and ten and every entry must include the child’s name, age, address, city, state, zip code, parent or guardian’s name, phone number and email on the back of the coloring page. The deadline for all entries is Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. Entries must be mailed or delivered in person to Dayton Ballet 140 N. Main St. Dayton, OH, 45402.

“Behind the Magic” Backstage Tour

The Nutcracker at theSchusterCenter offers excitement and beauty as well as a fun learning experience. Following the Saturday matinee performances, Dayton Ballet will offer “Behind the Magic” BackstageTours (approximately 4:30 p.m.). For $10 patrons can take a backstage tour of theSchusterCenter, meet Dayton Ballet dancers and enjoy refreshments. Simply tell the ticket agent at Ticket Center Stage that you would like the Backstage Tour when you purchase your ticket.

Shop at Dayton Ballet.

If you and those on your holiday shopping list love all things ballet, visit the Ballet Boutique for all of your holiday shopping needs. You can purchase nutcrackers of all shapes and sizes, ballet trinkets and Dayton Ballet apparel to sport around town.

Get a Deal on Nutcracker Tickets.

Visit the Entertainment Book Online and check the Dayton Ballet website at, www.daytonballet.org, for a list of discount opportunities.

For tickets to Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the “Behind the Magic” Backstage Tour or the Sugar Plum Tea, call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630 or visit online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.  Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday Noon-4 p.m. and two hours prior to each performance.

Dayton Ballet’s season sponsor is Kettering Health Network. The Nutcracker is presented by producing sponsors Kettering Health Network and Vectren.  Performance sponsor is: The Soin Family; Dayton Ballet Media Sponsors include: WHIO TV, 94.5 Lite FM and Dayton Daily News. Additional funding is provided by Culture Works, Ohio Arts Council, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District and Downtown Dayton Partnership.

We have tickets to give away!

CONGRATULATIONS Bethany Locklear – she won tickets for the 12/10 show!  BUT WAIT…  we have FOUR MORE PAIRS of tickets to give away for the remaining shows from 12/16-12/19 !  We’ll give away one pair for every ten “likes” we get on this article (we have 14 at the time of this update) – so be sure to hit the “like” button when you fill out the form.   We’ll announce the remaining winners on Tuesday 12/13 at 2pm – GOOD LUCK!

Contest Closed

Congratulations to our winners!

Janie Hummel
Andrea Hubler
Amy Price
Pam Elswick

Holiday Best Bets (Dec 7 – 11)

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Have you found your holiday spirit yet?  Perhaps a Candlelight Christmas Tour of the Oregon District will do it,  or a stop at Trolley Stop’s monthly Beer Tasting on Wed night or  UD Department of Music Christmas Concert may be just the thing it takes to put you in the mood for ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery at DVAC.

You can start your Thursday out with Morning Meditation or a Breakfast Briefing: Street Smart Secrets for Change Management.  Then move on to An Evening of Song and Celebration: Herald Angel Night at Calvary Cemetary or you can attend WSU’s 29th Madrigal Dinner or check out some Dayton Originals at Pecha Kucha Night Volume 9.  A Taste of Wine has declared it THREE WINE THURSDAY while Therapy Cafe says it Karaoke Night.
On Friday enjoy Bach’s Lunch: Holiday Favorites from Carillon Brass  then you can shop the Christmas Downtown Annual Holiday Bazaar and stop by the Opening Reception for A Modern Focus: Photography by Major Larry Faulkner.  For a little refreshment Miami Valley Wine & Spirits has a Super Beer Tasting or maybe All You Can Eat Fish $7.25 will get you ready for Star-Late Skates or an evening with Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker.  Maybe you’d rather laugh your night away with Bob & Tom favorite Donnie Baker & The Pork Pistols & Friends  then head over to Blind Bob’s for Vanity Theft, Good Sir Con Artist, and Okay Lindon.

On Saturday you can have Breakfast with Woodland Santa, shop The Tike’s Shop, then run across the street for Pizza with Santa  before your see the  Family Movie Series: The Polar Express.  After that you’ll be ready for the Sugar Plum Tea and the Behind the Magic Backstage Tour at the Schuster.  Then drop of the kids and get ready for the Santa Pub Crawl in the Oregon District or do your own tour of  Woodland Lights   and then stop by the Beer Tasting at Heather’s in Springboro.  For a non-traditional holiday outing you can enjoy Tidings of Pasties & Joy Burlesque Show w/Viva Valezz or head out to hear the Springfield Symphony Orchestra: The Music of Billy Joel.

Start your Sunday with a Santa Claus Brunch at Yankee Trace or explore the European Christmas Brunch at L’Auberge. then make your way to the Community Christmas Concert or enjoy the inspiring acrobats at Traces playing at the Victoria.  Or relax with a little football and HOLIDAY BEER TASTING or maybe you’d rather have an endless spaghetti Sunday.  It’s not the holiday without Handel’s Messiah  or The Great Cane Hunt and Dayton has them both!

This column was created  by Jane Krebs, and while she’s taking a break, we’re doing our best to keep bringing you the best that Dayton has to offer.  and now in honor of Jane’s love of jokes:

 Why does Santa have a garden?

So he can hoe, hoe, hoe!

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, we encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!

 

Lash Envy Part 1

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Someone once said that a woman’s best accessory is a well dressed man on her arm. Obviously it was a man who said this because women know the best accessory is great eyelashes! Nearly every woman I have ever asked what they won’t leave the house without responds with, mascara. If eyes are the windows to the soul then we are experts on putting the best drapery’s on them. Lashes and making them look good is a million dollar industry. From mascara to false eyelashes women are willing to go the distance to make our eyes look glamorous. So what is the big difference between all the options and what will work best for you?

The first and cheapest option is mascara. If you go into your local drugstore you will find about 50 different mascaras that promise you they can change your world. In a nutshell maybe three can make a difference and the other 47 will be as disappointing as a bad date. Here’s the scoop. Drugstore brands are often made in the same labs as high end cosmetics. For example Loreal is Lancome. Are the products the same? Yes and no. There are products that are very close to department store brand and some that are a poor man’s version. Don’t despair there are mascaras out there for everyone in every price range. So where to start? Look at your lashes are they thin, curly, long, short or maybe you are lucky enough to have full lashes. Determining your lash type will make a world of difference in what you should be buying. Once you have figured that out look for a formula designed for your lashes. Here are a few that I suggest:

Rimmel London Lycra Lash Extender-This mascara gets every tiny lash then lengthens it, plumps it and darkens it until both eyes are equal.

Loreal Paris Voluminous Original – L’Oreal certainly did an [apt] job when naming this mascara ‘voluminous.’ The thick brush applicator does a great job of separating the lashes and giving great definition

Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara– Great for sparse lashes and lengthing plus it’s great for sensitive eyes!

Prescriptives False Lashes– Great for length, curl and bottom lashes

Dior Blackout– My personal favorite- Provides length, volume and lots of drama!!

Lancome Hypnose– A cult favorite lengthen’s, thickens and provides a very natural dramatic lash.

 

So you have the mascara now how do you apply it correctly? There aren’t really any secrets. You start at the bottom of your lashes and wiggle the brush to coat them. My advice don’t overcoat or you will look like a spider. As for bottom lashes gently tap the mascara brush to coat them and be careful not to get it clumpy. Women often ask me if they should coat the bottom lashes. While I prefer it, it really comes down to personal preference. As long as you are not over coating the lashes it can really enhance and frame the eye to give you a complete look.

Its Friday night and your lashes just are not enough for your hot date what to do?? False lashes of coarse! I find that women are very intimidated by false lashes. I have heard it all from throwing them across the room to poking themselves in the eye. Ladies they are not that scary I promise! The first thing you need to do is buy the correct kind to start with. I highly recommend the Ardell brand in the “babies” style. These are a great first timer lash set and they look great on everyone. You will also need glue. I suggest the DUO brand in the dark. Now how to apply them:

Where to start? Applying false lashes will be the last step of your eyes. So, make sure to prime your eyes with an eye shadow primer(Clinique touch base), apply your eye shadow and eyeliner & you’ll be ready to apply your false lashes!

 Why apply them last? You apply false lashes last because you want your lashes to be very black and clean of any eye shadow or other products. If you apply them first, you may have lashes that are full of eye shadow. If you’d like, you can apply a thin coat of mascara beforehand. But it’s not necessary. I like having a thin coat of mascara on my lashes before I apply false lashes.

Step 1: Take your false lashes out of the box. Using your tweezers (or fingers), gently peel the lashes off of the tray. You don’t want to apply too much pressure, or else you may bend or damage the band.

 Step 2: Using your pointer finger and thumb, you want to hold both ends of the eyelashes at the bottom band. Lightly move both of your hands up and down a centimeter or so. Doing this will stretch the band so it isn’t as stiff. This will help the lashes sit better on the contour of your eyelid.

 Step 3: Now we are going to test the lashes to see if they are the correct length for your eye shape. If you have smaller eyes, you may need to cut a little bit. Pick up the according eyelash to your eye. The shortest part of the lashes should be matched up near your tear-duct. The longest part should be at end. The way you will set them on your eyelid is with the curl facing up. Set the lashes down in the middle of your lash line. Look to see where your natural lashes start (inner corner) and pull the false lashes to the same spot. Look to see if the band extends farther out (outer corner) than your natural lash line. If it extends out longer, grab the end with your thumb & pointer finger and lift them off.

 Step 4: With your scissors, cut off any excess lashes. (Set it on your lash line again to see if you cut enough)

 Step 5: Squeeze a little dab of lash adhesive on a clean surface. Don’t apply it from the tube directly to the lashes. A lot of product comes out at once and you don’t want to damage the lashes.

Step 6: Using any tool you’d like for precise application of the glue, (many like to use a toothpick or the opposite side of the tweezers)pick up the glue up. Don’t worry it’s too much. You don’t want it to be too little, otherwise your lashes might not stick well.

 Step 7: Pick your lashes up with your fingers or your tweezers and drag the glue across the band of the lashes. Apply a little more to each end of the lashes, as they are the spots that tend to wear off.

 Step 8: Pick the lashes up with a tweezer, holding them in the middle – close to the band but not touching the glue.

 Step 9: It’s difficult to apply lashes while looking straight forward into a mirror. The easiest way is by sitting down or standing up and tilting your head back a little – so when you look forward, your eyes are slightly squinted. This way, you’ll be getting a better view of your lashline. Like you did in Step 3, set the lashes down on your eyelid as close as possible to the base of your natural lashes, but not touching them. They should be on your eyelid, not your lashes. Make sure they are lined up with the start of your natural lashes before you press them down on your skin.

Step 10: Once the lashes are lined up with your lashes, grab the beginning of the lashes with your tweezers and press it down on your lid. Again, make sure they are lined up with the start of your natural lashes. You don’t want them to be any closer to your tear-duct, or it may cause your eyes to water or a pinching sensation. There should be a small space. Grab the outer end and press it down on your skin. Work quickly before the glue sets.

 Step 11: Go along the whole band, pressing it down onto your skin with the tweezers.

 Step 12: To make sure it’s very secure, use a brush (smudge brush, eyeliner/brow brush, etc) or sponge applicator and go across the band again pressing it down on your skin.

Step 13: Wait patiently for 1-2 minutes while the adhesive dries completely.

 Step 14: For this step, you can use eye liner (liquid/pencil or gel) or a dark eye shadow (brown, black, etc). If you’re using an eye shadow, take a small smudge brush and smudge the shadow on your lid, close to your lash line – blending it into the band of the false lashes. This will blend in the band better as well as cover up any adhesive you may have gotten on your eyelid. If you’re using a liquid liner, line your eyes as you normally would – against the band of the lashes.

 Step 15: Apply a coat of mascara to your lashes, starting at the base of your natural lashes all the way up to the end of the false lashes. This will blend your natural lashes in better with the false lashes as well as make the lashes look darker.

So now you have the tools to make your lashes glam for a day at the office to a night on the town. In part two of this article I will be discussing lashes more in depth from extensions to lash dip what you need to know and if it is a good match for you.

Music on the Orient Express – DPO’s New Year’s Celebration

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DPO presents a New Year’s Eve musical journey from Paris to Vienna

There once was a long-distance passenger train that ran from Paris to Istanbul, crossing many international borders en route. It was just a train, nothing more. Perhaps the exotic locations it connected lent it an air of mystique. Perhaps it was something much more….

In 1883, the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits initiated railway service on a train it named the Orient Express. Its purpose was to carry passengers in relative style and comfort and provide an enjoyable travel experience.

It was, to say the least, an overachiever.

Imagine for a second what a trip from Paris to Vienna must have been like in 1883. In Paris, the City of Light, you would board the train at Gare de Strasbourg station for a 6:30 pm departure, and a mere 28 hours and 50 minutes later you would arrive in Vienna, Austria, the City of Waltzes. And while, admittedly, that is a very long time by today’s travel standards, the employees of Wagons-Lits did everything possible to make your trip optimally enjoyable.

It started with the train itself. In addition to the locomotive and other support cars, the Orient Express consisted of a baggage car, four sleeping coaches with a total of 58 beds, and a restaurant car.

And when Wagons-Lits said restaurant car, they meant restaurant car. A typical menu might include oysters, soup with Italian pasta, turbot with green sauce, chicken à la chasseur, fillet of beef with château potatoes, chaud-froid of game animals, lettuce, chocolate pudding, and a buffet of desserts.
Sort of like C’est Tout or Rue Dumaine, only on wheels.

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra presents Paris to Vienna: A New Year’s Celebration on Saturday, December 31 at 8pm at the Schuster Center

At first Express d’Orient as the French called it ran only as far as Vienna and back; eventually it expanded its service as far as Istanbul. Regardless of its name and the frontiers it crossed, the Orient Express was as French as French gets. The various stations in the countries along its route lent the train an air of intrigue, and its method of operation and attention to style and personal comfort made it a world standard for luxury travel.
In her novel Murder on the Orient Express, prolific English mystery writer Agatha Christie immortalized the train. And, when he wrote the score for the 1974 film of the same name, Richard Rodney Bennett captured the spirit of the experience of riding the fabled train with a main theme written, fittingly, in the style of a luxurious romantic waltz. The song mimicked the movement of the train itself, starting haltingly (short wheel spins), slowly building tempo (gaining steam), and finally waltzing with abandon (running at top speed).

In 2009, the Orient Express ceased operation, shot in the operational heart by a bullet train, the 186-mile-per-hour TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse), and bombed out of the market by cut-rate airlines.

But its musical spirit lives on.

This New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31 at 8pm in the ­Schuster Center, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra presents Paris to Vienna: A New Year’s Celebration. It can be your ticket to a musical ride on the Orient Express.

Your journey starts in Paris, where the music of Hector Berlioz, Camille Saint-Saëns, Jacques Offenbach, Emmanuel Chabrier, and Maurice Ravel gets your evening off and running at full speed.

Your musical train stops only once en route. And not for water. New Year’s Eve Intermission at the DPO features complimentary champagne!

Back on board, the musical program of light classics, opera arias, and festive favorites continues. Vienna is just around the next bend; the music of Johann Strauss, Jr., the Waltz King – overtures, marches, polkas, and (of course) waltzes – completes the journey.

And a balloon drop in the Mead Theater celebrates your arrival.

Bonne Année! A guads Neichs Johr olle mitanand!

Happy New Year!

TICKET CONTEST

We’ve partnered with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra to give away TWO PAIRS of tickets to Paris to Vienna: A New Year’s Celebration!  Simply fill out the form below for a chance to win – we’ll draw winners on Friday, December 9 at 2pm.  Check back here or on our Facebook page to find out if you are a winner… GOOD LUCK!

(Contest Closed)

Congratulations to our two random winners:

Vince Bryant

Julie Westwood

Happy New Year!

First Friday Scavenger Hunt – Holiday Edition

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Participate in updayton’s First Friday Scavenger Hunt!

Visit three of the five locations  below on Friday, December 2nd (or before if you’d like), find the answer to the  listed clue, and snap a photo of yourself with it. The three photos are your  ticket to the Hunt after party (110 W. 5th St.), which goes from 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. and features free wine, Yuengling, snacks, and a live DJ!

Hunters who visit all five stops will be entered into a drawing for a special prize!

Your clues are:

Blind Bob’s (430 E. 5th St., 937.938.6405):
A neon sign bearing the logo of a popular Kentucky bourbon can be found
somewhere in the bar.

Deaf Monty’s Wine (22 Brown St., 937.225.9463):
One of the current featured wines is named after a family member.

Peace on Fifth (519 E. 5t St., 937.367.7215):
A ready-to-wear item features a simple message and birds in flight.

Bonnett’s Book Store (502 E. 5th St., 937.228.1222):
A famous prop from a classic film can be found on the checkout desk. (Hint:
It’s a major award!)

Beaute Box (116 W. 5th St., 937.903.3165):
An elected city official will be partaking in Beaute Box’s services at 8pm.
Who is it, and what is the person having done?

Thanks for playing, and happy holidays from updayton!

The First Friday Scavenger Hunt is made possible by updayton, the Downtown
Dayton Partnership, and sponsored by DaytonMostMetro.com.

 

 

DMM’s Best Bets (11/30 – 12/4)

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Now that we’ve had snow it it’s easy to believe the holiday’s are almost here!  You can do your holiday shopping at the Give Art! Gift Gallery at the Cannery or DVAC’s ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery .  Perhaps you need to get in the mood first, so why not attend a Wednesday Wine Tasting at Earthfare or perhaps Beer Tasting with Beer Guru Charles at Rumbleseat Wine is more to your style.

You can start Thursday out with Morning Meditation at the Peace Museum or head to the 2nd Street market for  Wreath-Making Demonstrations or head to Centerville’s Savona to a  ‘Meet the Artist’ Luncheon and Painting Workshop.  After work you could attend an  Artist Reception for Wind Me Up Wear Me Out at Stivers or head to Gilly’s because Roger Troutman: The Music Lives On.  Attend the World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil  at First Baptist Church or get a free HIV Test at Club Masque’s RED Tie Affair. You could join the  GEN D Wine Tassting at Winans, find your holiday spirit at the  Vandalia Christmas Tree Lighting or  treat yourself to HOLIDAY APPETIZERS WITH LOU  at A Taste of Wine, but it all might be Much Ado About Nothing!

Friday starts the weekend so perhaps you can warm up with a leisurely  Tour and Tea at the DAI, then head to the Greek Isle Deli for All You Can Eat Buffet.  You might want to stop by the Key Band Tower Exhibit: ‘Moneybags, Inc. LLC’ to get ready for First Friday that features the Courteous Mass Ride, a Christmas Candlelight Dinner at The Dayton Women’s Club,   The Wood Show  at Press, a FIBER Art Show at Yellow Cab and pick up gifts at  Handmade Holiday .  Make time to watch the
Mayor get his nails painted as part of the Activated Spaces and don’t forget to stop at RiverScape for Star-Late Skates.  You could end your night with a little Romeo Champagne at Oregon Expesss.  If  you prefer an evening in the suburbs you could head to Kettering for the  Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting or tour Woodland Lights in Washington Township.

Start your Saturday with a Cookie Walk to benefit We Care Arts or stop by the Psychic Fair to see what your future holds. It might just be Pizza with Santa, an afternoon with the Golden Dragon Acrobats or a ride on the  North Pole Express.  Need to get your holiday shopping on?  Stop by The Tike’s Shop, Handmade Holiday or Christkindlmarkt (German Christmas Market).  Keep the holiday spirit going at Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert or the Dayton Mandolin Holiday Show or perhaps you might enjoy the  Dirty Little Secrets Sensual Circus.  If a bar crawl is more your style, check out  Santarchy Dayton 2011.  De’Lish will be celebrating their  One Year Anniversary Customer Appreciation Weekend  and the New Schu Band will be at Trolley Stop.

Sunday is a great day to enjoy a Buffet Brunch at Barnsider or Brunch and a Movie  in Yellow Springs or have a Doll’s High Tea.  Maybe you’d rather learn Fundamentals of Skating or try Candle Dipping at the Farm  or just see The Blue Moon Dancing.
In the mood for a little music?  How about the   Bach Society Sweet Sounds of the Holidays  or Natalie MacMaster: Christmas in Cape Breton  or even the Savoy Truffle at Canal Street.

This column was created  by Jane Krebs, and while she’s taking a break, we’re doing our best to keep bringing you the best that Dayton has to offer.  and now in honor of Jane’s love of jokes:

Why does Santa always go down the chimney?
Because it soots him!

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!

Pecha Kucha Volume 9 – An Idea Sharing Party

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Still haven’t experienced the adrenaline shot of a 20×20 presentation? Pecha Kucha Volume 9 will be an awesome introduction. It’s your chance to enjoy the brief but intense outpourings of eight creative thinkers and doers in a social atmosphere. Fans of the fast-paced talk format will enjoy returning to Carli and Hamilton Dixon’s art space, Atta Girl Art & Garden. And we’ll all be treated to tapas from Coco’s Bistro, along with wine and the requisite beer. You’ll see why PK has become a global phenomenon, held in 455 cities around the world.

Presenters will include several fine artists, an indie music devotee, a historian/archivist, a grass roots leader, an urban activist, and an intuitive life guide. Jason Sheets will MC. The mix and dynamics are different each time, and Volume 9 promises to be its own unique self. Come experience it. You may decide you want to present at a future PK. There are four a year.

Volume 9 is Thursday, December 8 at 7:30pm at Atta Girl Art & Garden, 905 East 3rdnear Keowee. Parking is free in the building’s lot. There is no door charge, but donations are accepted to cover the night’s food, drink and rental costs. Dragonfly Editorial generously sponsors Pecha Kucha Dayton.

PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat”, it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It’s a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.

(from Pecha Kucha Dayton)

Mayor to Get Nails Painted – You Pick the Color!

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(Most content taken from the Activated Spaces Web site)

Visit Peace on Fifth - one of the Activated Spaces Pop-Up Shops

On Friday, December 2nd, Mayor Leitzell will help raise funds for Activated Spaces by getting his nails painted at Beaute Box, one of the Activated Spaces Pop-up shops. Donate online now! The more they raise prior to the event, the crazier the color, plus you’ll help Activated Spaces start new pop-up shops in 2012. Every $250 raised helps to establish a new pop-up shop in downtown Dayton!

– If we raise $250, color: Wildfire
– If we raise $500, color: Tutti Fruitti:
– If we raise $750+, color: Hotski to Tchotchski:

Any amount you donate to the cause can help: $5, $25 or $50. Your support of these pop-up stores will help to spur a more permanent retail environment in our downtown – the next step in downtown revitalization.

The “grand painting” will happen at 8pm on Friday, December 2nd at Beaute Box. Attend the Activated Spaces grand opening and join in the fun.

Instead of just using his celebrity to promote the event and the pop-up shops, it was important to Mayor Leitzell that it be a fundraiser. Beyond promoting the “new and unique” pop-up shops,  he is adding his name (and nails) so Activated Spaces can get the funding to continue to do the good work in the community. Leitzell says, “it’s all in good fun and and it’s raising money for a good cause.”